Thanks to support from AT&T, the MOST, Tech4Kidz, and Syracuse University, students at two Syracuse City School District schools are enjoying a special digital literacy enrichment program this summer.
Intended to help close the diversity gap in technology, the program is bringing hands-on technology enrichment to more than 110 SCSD students at Frazer Pre-K-8 School and Bellevue Elementary School. Through a weeklong digital literacy course during the school’s enrichment blocks, students were introduced to digital skills, learning about artificial intelligence, fake news, and search engines. They tried their hand at coding, explored the concept of cybersecurity and even created avatars, blogs, and HTML – all under the leadership of Tech4Kidz and Syracuse University School of Information Studies (iSchool) professors.
The AT&T ‘Cuse Digital Experience is designed to encourage more underserved and diverse students to enter the field of technology, an industry that has long faced a pervasive diversity gap. Through a two-part program, students are being immersed in STEM concepts in hands-on and engaging ways. In addition to the hands-on enrichment activities at Frazer and Bellevue, in late August, SCSD students in 6th through 8th grades will be invited to the MOST, where they will be able to explore the innovative museum in person.
